Allison, one of the authors of this book, has an original piece of artwork in her room by Sally Huss which says, "Around me I wear a coat of many colors, fabrics, and textures. It's made of friends and family here and no longer here, far and not so far. They are all part of my coat which keeps me warm wherever I go." A few summers ago, Allison noticed a hole in that very coat. One of her best friends developed an eating disorder. As the disorder progressed Allison knew she needed to find help for her, and fast. Allison made the decision to approach this friend, express her concerns, and offer her support. The extraordinary thing is, despite her fears, the friend put her trust in Allison and leaned on her shoulder.

This book not only contains the author's story, but Friends Helping Friends:



Is a guide on how to approach someone you love, be it a friend or family member, about their potential eating disorder.
Provides resources and insights regarding body image, dealing with personal issues, treatment options, risk factors, and more.
Teaches the reader how to approach a peer about the incredibly sensitive issue of an eating disorder.
Is accompanied with a workbook to help the reader gain the confidence and courage to lay out an approach.


Check your coat; are there holes? If so, reading this book may be the first step to patching some of them up.